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“And I will enjoy every minute of it,” Cross responded.
“What’s your plan for today? I can’t image you staying away from your mate for too long.” Parc leaned back in his chair and took a long swig of his coffee.
Cross smiled slyly before explaining his plans. “I didn’t want him second-guessing himself and making this process way longer than it needed to be, so I pushed my influence upon him last night while he slept. It wasn’t anything he was not already feeling but his human need to understand everything in its most basic form would have prevented him from taking the feelings seriously. I gave him the push to take it all seriously.”
“You think he will show up here today?”
“I’m counting on it.” Cross bounced his eyebrows and slapped the top of his desk. “He’ll fight it, of course, but the pull will bring him here before the day is over. Then I get my chance to solidify this relationship as not just a one-off but rather a commitment in the making.”
“I wish you luck, my friend. From what I saw last night, he already has a deep attraction for you. I don’t think it will take much to push him solidly in your direction.”
“Humans can be tricky. I can’t push too hard, or he may get scared, but I can’t back off either because he’ll think I’m not serious.” Cross lamented.
“I hope my Fated mate is a paranormal. I don’t care what kind, but I don’t want to have to deal with having to explain the supernatural or having to convince them to be with me. Other paranormal beings know the score and mates are a given no convincing necessary.” Parc shared and then added. “I have nothing against humans. It’s just that they require so much work.”
“Autry might be some extra work, but I can tell you honestly that he is worth anything and everything I may have to go through to have him and to keep him.” Cross became deadly serious. “I won’t lose him, and I will do whatever it takes to bring him into my world.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less, and if I can assist in any way, just ask.” Parc was equally serious.
“Thanks, Parc; for now, just keep your eye out for him even if he’s just walking by, and let me know if you see him. I’m certain he will come here today. The draw is too intense for him to put it off for long.”
“We will all keep watch and let you know. This will mark the first mating of the Mercer pack.” He added thoughtfully.
“The first but not the last.” That truth had them both nodding and smiling.
…
Autry felt the sweat trickle down his forehead, and he reached up to wipe it away. The desire burning within him was unnatural, and he didn’t understand it at all. This level of need was pushing him toward the door and making him grab his jacket and car keys. It was the sex. It had to be the sex. It was good, better than good, and his body was just reacting after so many months of no action. That sounded completely absurd in his mind, but it was a better explanation than insanity, so he was going to embrace it.
He chuckled nervously and then glanced outside. Maybe he could just drive by and see what’s happening at the club. It was nearing four in the afternoon, so it would be opening soon. Yeah, that’s what he was going to do. It would relieve the urge that was growing in his belly and maybe give him some peace. It still seemed silly, but for some crazy reason, he needed to do it.
As he was heading to the door, he stopped himself and walked back to the living room, and sat down on the couch. Running his hands through his hair and closing his eyes, he tried to focus on what it was he was feeling and had he ever felt like this about anyone else. Was it an obsession, fixation, or the natural progression of a fierce attraction? Fuck it, he said and left the house, jumped in his car, and headed to Club Zephyr. He’d figure it out on the way.
…
Cross watched the clock all day and kept in constant communications with the men keeping a watch outside in case Autry stopped by but so far, nothing. He was certain that the push of heightened pheromones and the desire to connect he’d exposed Autry to would have brought him there by now. The waiting was making him and his wolf antsy and irritable.
It was late afternoon when Zeke, a tiger shifter and head of his security, came up to him at the bar where he was sitting, having a cup of tea and deciding his next move. He took a seat next to him and handed him a tablet with a file open. He looked at it, and his eyebrows shot up, and a smile graced his face. “You did good, Zeke.” He said and began scrolling through the file contents.
“He’s on his way here,” Zeke told him. “Cade’s been watching his place, and your mate just left his home, and he’s heading to town. I assume he is coming here.”
“Remind me to give you a raise, Zeke,” Cross told him, thoroughly pleased at the news and background information Zeke had gathered. “I haven’t been thinking straight today, just so on edge. Thanks for putting a watch on Autry.”
“It was Parc’s idea, and I fully agreed with him.” Zeke clarified.
“I’ll give him a raise too.” Cross laughed. He took the tablet and went back to his office to review the information and wait for Autry. Now that he knew he was coming, the anticipation was brutal but lovely. He discovered through Zeke’s research that his mate was a waiter at the Barnstorm Café, which was located on Central Ave. About a mile from Club Zephyr.
He also had a side business buying a selling vintage jewelry, and he made enough with both to live comfortably. He was a high school grad but did not pursue college or university, which was no big deal; some people were not cut out for school. He had an online certification in gem analysis and identification, and he was a certified appraiser of vintage and antique jewelry.
He’d mentioned working as a waiter last night but hadn’t said where and hadn’t mentioned his side business. Cross noticed that Zeke had also given him Autry’s cell number. He thought about dropping him a text but decided to just wait for him to arrive. Autry would wonder how he got the number, and he didn’t want to cloud the natural progression of the relationship with unimportant questions.
He finished the review and closed the file, and set the tablet aside before checking his watch. The Club had been open for about an hour now and should be starting to fill up Saturday was a popular day for established couples to come and play. He headed back out onto the floor to wait to be notified of his mate’s arrival. It was now only a matter of minutes.
He wore a form-fitting pair of black leather pants and a white cotton button-up shirt. He had soft leather wrappings around each wrist that he planned to use on his mate once he had him in one of the playrooms. Just the thought of playing with his mate tonight had his temperature rising along with his cock.
“Hey, boss,” Parc called out and slid a French 75 down the bar toward him. “Enjoy.” He added with a sly smile, and Cross nodded and took the cocktail, and moved out into the room to stand closer to the front doors. Cade had texted him and let him know that Autry was parking and on his way to the Club. Everyone knew what he looked like and had been ordered to let him pass. Business had just begun, so there was no line, and Autry would be immediately directed inside where Cross was waiting.
…
Autry parked in the same garage a block down from the Club and started walking. It was early; the Club had only been open an hour, so he wondered how busy it was and how hard it would be to get inside. He needed to see Cross. He needed to lay eyes on him and understand this burning need to be near him and to feel his eyes and hands upon him. The strangeness of it all was giving way to a feeling of inevitability and a sense of destiny. His heart was telling him that this was the way it was supposed to be.
When the Club came into view, there were just a few people outside. He fell in behind them and waited, but he didn’t have to wait long. The man who had turned him away last night before Cross allowed him entry came forward and motioned for him to follow. “You’re good; come on inside.” He said and glanced back over his shoulder to make sure that Autry was following him.
He was expected or at least welcome, and that filled Autry with a hopefulness about a place in Cross’ life, at least in the temporary. Autry stepped into the main room of the Club with the massive bar off to his left and looked straight ahead. He stopped and just stared as he was caught in the gaze of the most handsome man on this earth.
If this was going to be just another one-off, it would kill him, but he could not stop himself from taking one unsteady step after another forward until he was standing directly in front of Cross and waiting for a response. He didn’t have to wait long before Cross smiled and reached out to him, and Autry could not resist eagerly going into his outstretched arms. It was a sweet and pleasing invitation, and he soon found himself wrapped in arms he’d dreamed about and pressed against a body that felt like home.
